GWU opens 2014 season at Furman on Aug. 30

BOILING SPRINGS — Gardner-Webb University will face a 12-game football schedule in 2014, with five home games at Spangler Stadium.

Coach Carroll McCray’s squad kicks off his second season at the helm on Aug. 30 at defending Southern Conference champion and likely preseason top-25 squad Furman.

Gardner-Webb, which won more games this past season than it had since 2003, welcomes back 17 starters. The Runnin’ Bulldogs finished with a 7-5 mark, which included a 3-1 record against top-25 teams.

Overall the 2014 slate features one FBS foe, two conference champions and four teams ranked last season in either the FCS Coaches or The Sports Network polls.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs will travel to face ACC member Wake Forest on Sept. 6 in Winston-Salem, before returning to Boiling Springs on Sept. 13 to host Virginia University of Lynchburg in the home opener.

GWU also has challenging non-conference home dates with Wofford (Sept. 20) and Charlotte (Oct. 4), along with home league games versus defending Big South champion Coastal Carolina (Nov. 1) and Presbyterian (Nov. 15).

In addition to Furman and Wake Forest, Gardner-Webb will face Southern Conference members The Citadel (Sept. 27) and VMI (Oct. 10) away from home. The ’Dogs open Big South play on the road for the 12th time in 13 seasons at Liberty on Oct. 25.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs will also play league road games at Charleston Southern (Nov. 15) and Monmouth (Nov. 22).